A problem free life on earth is impossible. Life has its own fair share of worries, troubles and stress. There are times when even the best of plans fail. There are also times when your expectations from people and things are cut short. You have done everything you know to do and can do. Yet for all your effort the results are just not there or fall short of what you hoped for.

It happens to everybody though not everybody knows how to handle disappointment. I got disappointed recently and it hit me hard and I knew I had to learn some practical ways to handle disappointment. I did just that and it proved valuable and as such I decided to share some helpful tips with you dear reader on handling disappointments:

Winners are people (ordinary folks like you and me) who did not allow their disappointments to stop them. They are flesh and blood (not super humans) who did not let their setbacks stop them. If such people bounced back from their disappointments you can also do the same.

Turn your disappointments over to God: God alone can ensure that your disappointments are turned to appointments with destiny. He alone is able to cause your disappointment to still turn out for your good and for your blessing. He is in control of everything and nothing happens without His approval. How do you turn the disappointment over to God you may be asking. Very simple. Through prayer. Pray about what happened and ask as Him to take control.

Quit worrying and fear: The goal of worry and fear is to make you feel bad about your disappointment enough to quit trying. You can disappoint your enemies by refusing to dwell on your disappointment or be anxious by what fear and worry suggests to you will happen as a result of your disappointment. Remember that the true meaning of fear is False-Evidence-Appearing-Real.

Go again. Don’t quit: A lot of people fail because they quit. If you failed or were disappointed before, try again. If you were told no earlier, ask again. No is only one side of the coin. Flip it again and it might just turn out to be yes. You did not get it yesterday can actually turn out to become a “you got it today”. It does not take God 12 years to handle a 12 year old problem and it does not take God to handle a lifetime problem. There is no great man or woman that has not had to learn to handle disappointment on the way to success, achievement and greatness.

Laugh: After you must have cried stop and take more time to laugh. Laughter they say is good medicine for a troubled soul. Laugh and don’t cry. Jesus always told those who came to Him with a problem to wipe their tears. You know why? Your tears will always prevent you from seeing possibilities. What you see is what you get. Get around people who will make you laugh rather than stay on your own and brood over your disappointment. Watch a comedy if need be. Read jokes. By all means do something to make you laugh and forget the disappointment.

Sing: Yes you heard right. Sing. Nothing lifts disappointment or soothes a weary soul like good music. Drown the disappointment through singing or listening to some good music.

Don’t stop believing in you and in God: Disappointment wants you to give up on God, you and your dreams. It knows very well that the only way it can stop you is to get you to stop. No one says you will not feel bad when you experience disappointment. We all face disappointment but do not dwell on yours or let them chart the course of your life or dreams. Despite what has happened believe that your dream is still possible. You can reach your original goal if you still want to.

Talk to you: There is power in words. There is power in confession. Talk to yourself. Tell yourself “I can make it”. Talk to you. Inspire yourself through self motivation. Encourage yourself even when no one does so. Declare and say “I know all things are working for my good because I love God”. Your words can make or unmake you. Speak the right words and the right stuff will happen to you.

Remember it takes guts to leave the ruts. Don’t quit yet. Its too late to quit if you are a winner.

thank you so much.. i am at the brink of giving up when i googled this article. it helped me feel relieved and pray that God will help me deal with so many disappointments in life.

Anonymous

On September 28, 2010 at 2:59 pm

Thank you for posting. After reading this I know that God is urging me to start attending church again. This may be a leap, but what other way is he going to get to spend time with me? It was no coincidence that the first link I chose on disappointment was this one. May God bless all who visit and read.